Mohamed Serghini, influential Moroccan poet and scholar, dies at 96

Renowned Moroccan poet, scholar, and literary critic Mohamed Serghini has passed away at the age of 96 following a long illness. Born in Fez in 1930, Serghini was a foundational figure in modern Moroccan poetry, instrumental in transitioning the genre from traditional forms to modern experimentation and free verse.

His academic career was extensive, spanning several countries. After studying at Al Quaraouiyine University, he earned a degree from the University of Baghdad in 1959. He later obtained degrees from Mohammed V University in Rabat and a Doctorat d’État from the Sorbonne in Paris. He served as a professor at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in Fez for several decades and held the position of Vice Dean of the faculty between 1986 and 1991.

Serghini’s literary work often blended Sufi thought with modernism. His notable publications include the poetry collection ‘Tahta Al-Anqadh, Faouqa Al-Anqadh’ (Beneath the Ruins, Above the Ruins), which won the Morocco Book Prize, and the novel ‘I Found You in This Archipelago’. His contributions earned him international recognition, including the Argana International Poetry Prize in 2004.